A new start for the Neonate Council

[Christine Daye]

Christine tilts her head as Kira speaks, an expression of faint puzzlement on her face. She takes a breath to say something, but is distracted by the doorbell.

More than distracted - she picks up the note of the bell, humming it, then weaving a little melody around it. Minor third, fifth, octave, above, below, her fingers twitching slightly. Then, back to the tune she's been humming off and on ever since she arrived, but this time she gives quiet voice to the lyric:

"...all the pretty birds fly around my town... they try their best to please... it's not nice to spite happy appetite... the darkness comes to eat me... don't say you'll ever leave me... you will comfort... and appease me... you will build a nest for me... in a high and brittle tree... in a high and bending tree..."

[Regulus Grey]

At the sound of the bell, Regulus rolls his sleeve back down to cover up the scales and folds his arms again. Ensuring that his sleeves are pulled down all the way he glances curiously at the door.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

Katherine suddenly snaps to at the sound of the doorbell.

(Jack, I think Dorian and Epi have arrived. I had better concentrate now. Talk later.)

She listens out for Ellen's footsteps going to the door.

[Dorian M. Black]

Dorian needed a new carriage. But it was a nice carriage and he didn't want to replace it. It was an 1835 Traveling Landauer so it was absolutely impossible to replace anyway, and if it was good enough for William IV it was good enough for him. The shaft had dropped twice in the last six months. No one seemed to know why. His own theory was that the carriage was mechanically neurotic, and that breaking its own shaft was the vehicular equivalent of a human being biting its own nails.

Harried but at the door, the aristocrat lets the tensions of the night ease from his shoulders; lets it all fade away as Ellen opens the door and Dorian greets the ghoul. He offers Eponine a sideways glance, trying to force into that expression something welcome.

Inside, he and his impromptu date join the happy group, but no sooner has Dorian stepped into the central blob, than he stops dead at the threshold, and stares.

"What are you doing here?" he starts, visually attacked by Constance.

[CFlaubert]

Constance looks up from her book at Dorian's start and responds

"The Prince requested an ancillae be present at the first two meetings. To ensure no power grab was on the cards. I shall be reporting back to him about what took place afterwards. Current topics hold a level of ridiculousness that causes me little concern" she finishes returning to her book.

[Dorian M. Black]

"You should be in bed," Dorian bit out. "Resting."

"I told you it needed two nights to set. If I'd known you'd have up and wandered about town to-"

"Go home, we can edit the report later."

[CFlaubert]

Wordlessly Constance closes her book. Replaces it in the inside folds of her cloak and stands. After a long moment of standing, shifting her weight to the least painful standing position, she limps towards the door.

[Mrs K. Saunders]

"Mr Black, are you prepared to make Constance and I disobey a direct order from the Prince?" Blurts out Katherine in an extremely irriated manner.

How dare he order Constance around like that, and why on earth is she listening to him? Maybe Christine is not the one she should be attempting to save from an unfortunate relationship, poor Constance. It seems that the nurse had not learnt from her past marriage what loves was or was not, despite their conversation the other night.

"Constance, are you fit to walk home? Surely a rest in the chair whilst a carriage is called would be more appropriate?"

[Dorian M. Black]

Dorian doesn't say anything, just drops Eponine's arm and moves towards the door, holding it open impatiently.

[Christine Daye]

Christine hums for a moment, as if thinking. Then, decision made, she gathers her things, and moves to help Constance.

"Thank you for your hospitality," she says calmly to Katherine. "I think that I shall escort Miss Caswell home."

She casts a questioning look to Constance.

"Assuming that you are agreeable?"

Regardless of Constance’s response, she moves to the door.

"Lady Mayweather, I do hope that we can walk together soon. We have a commission to discuss, I believe?"

Her eyes are dark as she looks at Dorian, one gloved hand touching the base of her throat for a moment.

"Mr Black. Maestra sends her regards."

She looks around the room.

"Good night, all. I wish you a productive meeting."